CVE-2017-5981 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A crafted ZIP file can be used to trigger a denial of service in seeko.c of zziplib 0.13.62, resulting in an assertion failure and crashing.

Understanding CVE-2017-5981

This CVE involves a vulnerability in zziplib 0.13.62 that allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service by exploiting a crafted ZIP file.

What is CVE-2017-5981?

CVE-2017-5981 is a vulnerability in zziplib 0.13.62 that can be exploited by a specially crafted ZIP file to trigger a denial of service, leading to an assertion failure and system crash.

The Impact of CVE-2017-5981

The vulnerability can be exploited remotely by attackers to cause a denial of service, potentially disrupting the availability of the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-5981

This section provides more technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in seeko.c of zziplib 0.13.62 allows for a denial of service attack through a crafted ZIP file, resulting in an assertion failure and system crash.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Version: zziplib 0.13.62
Systems using zziplib 0.13.62 are vulnerable to this exploit.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by creating a specially crafted ZIP file that triggers the denial of service in seeko.c of zziplib 0.13.62.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2017-5981, follow these mitigation strategies.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update zziplib to a non-vulnerable version if available.
Implement network controls to restrict access to potentially malicious ZIP files.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to patch known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and audits to identify and mitigate potential risks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and patches released by zziplib.